The numbers are not being used anymore. That tells me they didn't mean much in the first place. The fact is they were rather fabricated by Big Pharma and sold to doctors as miracle drugs (which they are most definitely not).

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ghlight=statin
The new criteria are on this link, including the "revised" criteria.

I only provide the information here that your doctor either ignores or doesn't know about. It is your decision ultimately as to whether to take them or not.

Zocor is under scrutiny now because it is lipophilic (meaning enters fatty areas like the brain and nerves ) to only use low doses or none at all.

Mrs. D,

I am totally confused. I just responded a post to you regarding the thread where you mention " the Lisinopril debacle" . Of course, I am on Lisinopril too.!!!!

Not sure what to say to my doctor regarding the numbers on the chloresterol readings since, if I understand you correctly, they seem to be just about worthless.

I have an appointment him in February. I get my bloodwork done the previous week so he has all the readings.

Thanks for all you input.


Gerry

I think it is worth your asking your doctor for another family of
blood pressure control...

Lisinopril is unique in the ACE inhibitor family

1) it is not metabolized and is excreted as such in the urine.
For people with HAE...(angioedema) this can inflame the bladder

2) If you have lowered C-1 inhibitor levels, you can have serious side effects from this drug. Swelling of any body part, burning symptoms, dry cough, bladder irritation, shortness of breath, redness in the skin in various areas. (redness is less common than the other symptoms)

Of those symptoms only the cough or breathing issues, are typically understood by doctors. My doctor realized my problem because she had a CME (continuing education) lecture on this 2 yrs ago. But if doctors don't choose that topic when they do their CME for relicensure, they really don't know about HAE. Most of the research on it has been done in Europe and in the last 10 yrs.

A very young or newly licensed doctor may have had HAE in school or not depending on how up to date the curriculum is there.

Here is the first thread I made about my struggle with lisinopril:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=lisinopril

Mrs. D.,

When you say another family; not sure what would be a good replacement for Lisinopril.

Even with the Lisinopril, my blood pressure was still on the high side until I started taking the Spironlactone daily for the swelling in legs and feet. Wonder if there could be a connection? The Edema started about 5 yrs. ago shortly after having Cystecele surgery.

Am I correct in assuming I should reconsider continuing with the Simvastatin?

Thanks again,

Gerry

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor....all of them increase bradykinin in the body, and if you have impaired ability to metabolize this away, then all of them will cause problems for you.

The others in the family are metabolized by the liver...and excreted metabolized. Lisinopril is not, and leaves whole in the urine. Active then to increase bradykinin in the bladder.

Bradykinin is a biogenic amine, and causes vasodilation in tissues everywhere. In my case it is mostly my GI tract that reacted to this, but also my face, hands, feet, and tongue...sometimes my throat closed down, but not completely...so I made strange noises in my larynx. (a hoarse squealing sound--mostly at night).

Normal people have adequate enzyme C-1 inhibitor to remove bradykinin, but people with a genetic error cannot so it builds up and in some cases (20-30%) can kill you eventually. Most doctors will take you off ACE drugs if you get the cough. I didn't have the cough much, but I sure did get a devastating reaction finally which I wouldn't wish on anyone! It can sneak up on you, or happen early in therapy. It can happen anytime in fact.

I would try and see if the spironolactone is enough for now.
There is very little evidence that statins do anything positive for women.
Here is the link on those stats:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post1002533-6.html